Heroes Wanted Patch Fire Engines

Controlling and extinguishing fires is only part of the workload for Regina Wilson. As a firefighter, she is also trained to provide pre-hospital emergency care and help enforce the laws and regulations regarding fire prevention and safety.

Becoming a firefighter was not one of Regina Wilson's career options during college. She studied business management. It was a female firefighter whom she met that recruited her by highlighting the benefits of this exciting career. "I was inspired by the women firefighters who were on the job before me as well as the African American firefighters. Their presence in the fire department helped me to have hope of this becoming a career for me."

Once she made the decision to pursue firefighting, Regina completed the 30 college credits necessary for the job. She then worked with a tutor to help her on the written portion of the entry exam for the academy and trained hard for six months for the physical portion of the test. During this time she also visited firehouses, learned about the tools used to fight fires and met with several firefighters, some of whom became her mentors.

Firefighters work long shifts, sometimes 24-hours. Nights and weekends may also be on the schedule, which changes often. The changing schedule has some benefits. As Regina points out, "you can pursue other options for continuing your education and have more time to spend with family and friends because of the flexibility of the schedule."

While waiting for a call to go to a fire, firefighters do what is called "committee work", which means taking care of the firehouse and fire equipment.

Being a firefighter is still considered a non-traditional job for women. Regina Wilson not only takes great personal pride in doing her job, but she has been recognized for her work by receiving the Susan B. Anthony Award for women performing services in non-traditional jobs. She is assigned to Engine 219 in Brooklyn. She was also mentioned in a book written about women who worked at ground zero following the September 11th tragedy at the World Trade Center.